"Dracula" released 1931

The original motion picture Dracula, starring Bela Lugosi, opened in theaters February 14, 1931.  How romantic!  Lugosi had appeared in the 1927 stage production on Broadway, which was based on the 1924 version in London.

The plays were based on the 1897 novel Dracula by Bram Stoker.

The 1931 version of the movie was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.

The American Film Institute has recognized Dracula as:

#85 100 Years...100 Thrills

#33 villain Count Dracula 100 Years...100  Heroes & Villains

#83 100 Years...100 Movie Quotes:  "Listen to them. Children of the night.  What music they make." - Count Dracula.

"Dracula" released 1931

The cult classic Dracula, the first movie adaption of Bram Stoker's iconic horror novel, was released in the U.S. February 14, 1931.  What a Valentine's Day gift!

Bela Lugosi, who played Dracula in the stage production in 1927 played the title role. Dwight Frye appeared as Renfield and Edward Van Sloan as Van Helsing. 

The movie was overall met with positive reviews upon its release and it was one of the biggest hits of 1931.

In 2000, the movie was selected for preservation in the US National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".   It is recognized by the American Film Institute as #85 on 100 Thrills, #33 on 100 Heroes and Villains, #83 on 100 Movie Quotes:  "Listen to them.  Children of the night.  What music they make."

Bram Stoker's "Dracula" released in 1897

Bram Stoker's Victorian-era Gothic-horror masterpiece, "Dracula" first appeared in London bookstores May 26, 1897.  Although it only enjoyed moderate success at the time, it has become Stoker's best-known and most favorite novel.  It began to gain popularity when Stoker's widow Florence allowed the story to be adapted for stage in the 1920's.  But it was when Bela Lugosi appeared in the 1931 movie "Dracula" when it really became a hit.